WADA statement regarding the IOC’s decision not to reinstate the Russian Olympic Committee for the PyeongChang 2018 Games

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) acknowledges the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) decision today not to lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) for the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

WADA notes that subject to the continued compliance with the IOC Executive Board decision of 5 December 2017, the suspension of the ROC is considered to be lifted once the Doping Free Sport Unit (DFSU) of the Global Association of International Sports Federations has confirmed that there are no additional Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) by members of the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) delegation.

For the avoidance of doubt, it should be clarified that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) remains non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) as it has not yet met the necessary criteria of RUSADA’s Roadmap to Compliance, following Russia’s proven systemic manipulation of the doping control process. This manipulation was first exposed by WADA’s independent McLaren Investigation in July 2016

On 18 November 2015, WADA declared RUSADA non-compliant with the Code further to the Agency’s independent Pound Commission. Since then, WADA has been working with RUSADA to assist them in rebuilding a credible and sustainable anti-doping program.